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Thursday, October 20, 2016

Why mums are angry about this 'awesome' baby bed

A SELF-rocking bassinet, which claims to be the invention that will answer every tired mum and dads’ prayers, has angered parents around the world for being “dangerous” and “irresponsible”.

The Snoo Smart Sleeper, which retails at AU$1455, claims to put your baby to sleep for you.

Basically, the bassinet uses microphones that sense when your baby is crying or fidgeting instead of sleeping. It then automatically plays white noise, and starts to rock the baby back to sleep.

After placing your baby in a fixed swaddle, the rocking starts as soon as they’re put into the bassinet. The sensation starts up again when they wake during the night, meaning the parent doesn’t need to be disrupted during the night.

Now, while some people may see the device as a godsend — experts and fellow parents are not impressed by the invention.

“This device is not empowering or educating parents, and it’s not helping with the crucial bonding process during the first few weeks and months of being a parent,” Jen Hamilton, parenting expert and creator of WOTBaby told news.com.au.

“When babies are little, crying is nature’s way of helping with that bonding process. It’s nature’s way of getting needs met, and what worries me is that this bassinet will hinder the parents’ development of maternal and paternal instincts.”

A video of the bassinet in action shows a baby falling asleep in seconds, while the parent observes.

Created by Dr Harvey Karp, a paediatrician, the bassinet was created alongside MIT industrial design experts — who claim to have developed the “smartest, and safest baby bed” in the world.

But Ms Hamilton said while some people may see the device as enabling more rest for both parent and baby, sleep deprivation is all part and parcel of having a little one.

“We are not educating parents about baby behaviour,” she said.

“It’s very normal for a baby not to know the difference between night and day, and by being rocked to sleep every time they wake, the parents are not becoming familiar with their child.

“It really concerns me this bassinet, because I can’t see how it would cause problems later on when the baby moves onto a cot — and can no longer be rocked like in the bassinet, and the parent won’t know how to resettle.”

A video of the bassinet in action shows a baby falling asleep in seconds, while the parent observes.

Created by Dr Harvey Karp, a paediatrician, the bassinet was created alongside MIT industrial design experts — who claim to have developed the “smartest, and safest baby bed” in the world.

But Ms Hamilton said while some people may see the device as enabling more rest for both parent and baby, sleep deprivation is all part and parcel of having a little one.

“We are not educating parents about baby behaviour,” she said.

“It’s very normal for a baby not to know the difference between night and day, and by being rocked to sleep every time they wake, the parents are not becoming familiar with their child.

“It really concerns me this bassinet, because I can’t see how it would cause problems later on when the baby moves onto a cot — and can no longer be rocked like in the bassinet, and the parent won’t know how to resettle.”

Social media users were quick to criticise the bassinet, condemning the use of a machine to do a simple parenting task.

“Anyone who thinks it’s OK to strap a baby down like that and let that machine shake it about while they sleep soundly needs their head looked at!” one Facebook user said of the device.

“I’m not caring for this at all. This is a machine. If it malfunctions there is no telling the damage it could cause. I’ll pass. I’ll just rock my baby the good ol’ fashioned way,” another added.

“This is not only sad, but dangerous. Parents need to check on their child if she/he is crying. They could be in distress or need a nappy change. To allow your baby to be comforted by a machine is just callous and uncaring and bad for bonding.

“This is sad pick up your baby and give comfort. This is pathetic.”

The bassinet, which is currently being sold online for $AU1455 (A$1890) can only be used for the first six months of the baby’s life.